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ASVAB · Simple Machines (Levers, Pulleys, Gears)

If you want to increase the speed of a driven gear, the drive gear should be:

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Correct answer

Larger than the driven gear

  1. A Larger than the driven gear
  2. B Smaller than the driven gear
  3. C Removed entirely
  4. D The same size as the driven gear

Why this is the answer

To INCREASE the SPEED of the driven gear, the drive gear should be LARGER than the driven gear. ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension tests gear speed relationships. When a LARGER drive gear turns a SMALLER driven gear, the smaller gear spins FASTER (more rotations) but with LESS torque. Conversely, a small gear driving a large gear turns it slower but with more torque (force). Trade-off: speed vs torque. So for more speed on the driven gear, use a larger drive gear (or smaller driven gear). Gear speed/size relationships are commonly tested.
Source: ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension — Gear Speed

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About this topic: Simple Machines (Levers, Pulleys, Gears)

Simple machines — levers, pulleys, gears, inclined planes, wheel-and-axle, screws — are the heart of Mechanical Comprehension. Each question comes down to mechanical advantage: how much the machine multiplies force, and the trade-off in distance. This is one of 23 Mechanical Comprehension questions on simple machines (levers, pulleys, gears), each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our ASVAB exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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